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Volume 1, Issue 1
December 2010 Chairman Bob Anthony
Welcome to the first edition of OCCurrences, the renewal of the Commission’s employee newsletter.
2011 brings with it the opportunity to fashion public policy both for our state and this region of the country on a variety of issues that can impact Oklahoma citizens and the state’s economy for decades to come. Oklahoma is blessed with an abundance of resources, not just oil and gas but renewables such as wind and solar. However, the best wind resources are not near our population centers, so the utility companies and the Southwest Power Pool must work to ensure that necessary transmission lines are built on a business model that is reliable, cost effective and acceptable. They must also consider transmission cost overruns to be sure that wind projects actually provide the value they promise.
Drilling and production of Oklahoma’s petroleum resources has been a cornerstone of the state’s economy for decades. Combining hydraulic fracturing (a well completion technique in use for over 60 years) with improvements in horizontal drilling technology allows companies to unlock oil and natural gas trapped in shale formations. The abundance of these shales in states across our country adds more than 100 years to the productive life of natural gas. In Oklahoma we have a successful history of regulating exploration and production. We need to build on that tradition and export that expertise to those states experiencing the new drilling boom. A one size fits all federal regulatory program could add significant cost without bringing any noticeable environmental benefits over state level regulation.
Another environmental area that deserves careful watching is the EPA’s implementation of a regional haze rule. This seeks to improve visibility in national parks and wildlife areas. Four Oklahoma coal-fired electric plants are among those listed. Having to retrofit those plants at an estimated cost of $2 billion could lead to the biggest single increase in electric rates this state has faced. We need to join other state agencies in supporting alternatives that can meet the requirements with a reasonable price tag.
And we must learn to use the energy we have more efficiently. This does not mean having to cut back and doing without. It does mean being aware of how and when we use energy. During 2011 both the natural gas and electric utilities are due for hearings on their energy efficiency plans. These need to be designed to bring the maximum benefits to customers at the most reasonable cost.
And, let’s support expanded utilization of the natural gas produced in Oklahoma, including compressed natural gas vehicles. This produces a win-win-win situation by bringing jobs and revenue to the state, giving drivers an alternative fuel that is cheaper than gasoline and reducing the nation’s dependence on imported foreign oil.
On the electric side, OG&E is one of the first electric utilities in the country to install smart meters and smart grid technology system wide and PSO is beginning a pilot project in Owasso. This can lead to cost savings in reduced labor costs and faster restoration of power after storms or other outages. Individual customers can save by shifting energy usage to more cost efficient times. But just sending consumers proper pricing signals is only a part of the job. We must design time of use and other appropriate rate structures so that customers can benefit from those price signals.
Commissioners’ CornerCommissioners’ Corner It’s fitting that the OCC employee newsletter is being revived at this time, as our need for clear communication throughout the agency on the challenging issues we all face is greater than ever.
I firmly believe that every challenge is an opportunity. Obviously, the biggest challenge we faced in the past fiscal year was monetary. But it was also an opportunity to show all concerned our professionalism and our commitment. I’m proud to say you did just that.
The numbers tell the tale. Space does not allow more than a small sampling of the work performed, but here’s a sample: In spite of the furlough days and staff reductions we had to take in the past fiscal year, the Commission’s Court Clerk’s office processed more than 24,000 applications and more than 7,000 orders amounting to many millions of dollars in economic activity. The Oil and Gas division handled 926 pollution-related citizen complaints and 588 incidents reported by the industry, 790 non-pollution-related citizen complaints, and oversaw 3,011 well mechanical integrity tests. Our Administrative Law Judges held more than 26,000 hearings. The Public Utility Division tackled a case load totaling more than 400. Our Transportation Division handled more than 3,000 motor carrier registrations, performed more than 179,000 vehicle checks, and inspected the facilities of over 200 pipeline operators. Our Petroleum Storage Tank Division performed more than 8,000 service station inspections, and check more than 97,000 pump calibrations.
Again, this is just a very tiny sample. All the Commission’s divisions stepped up and fulfilled our commitment to excellence in spite of the obstacles.
I am optimistic about the new year and what it will mean for this agency. We have taken our lumps and proven our worth. It is an honor to serve with you.
mitChell’s messagemitChell’s message About newsletterAbout the newsletter
Welcome to the inaugural issue of OCCurrences!
While this is the first issue, it is also a revival of the Commission employee newsletter. Those who joined the Commission in the 21st century may not be aware that the Commission once had a monthly newsletter called The Regulator, which was itself a successor to a mimeographed, much simpler newsletter called Commission Transmission. What’s different this time? Aside from the name, there are several: The Regulator was monthly, OCCurrences will be a quarterly. With the exception of a few issues done in PowerPoint, The Regulator was printed, while OCCurrences will be digital. The Regulator was distributed to field personnel and others by mail; OCCurrences will be available for downloading from the OCC Intranet. The Regulator was severely hampered by both cost and logistic concerns (printing costs, number of photos that could be used, formatting complexities, etc). OCCurrences, while still a challenge, does not pose as great a set of limitations.
What’s the newsletter about? It’s about you. So obviously, just how good it is depends on you contributing items, suggestions, criticisms, etc. Look at the names below. Help them help you. If you have an item, give it to them. Don’t worry if you can’t work it up into an article or even a paragraph, just let them know and they’ll take it from there. It can be work-related, or it could something of interest from your personal life. Again - it’s about you.
This issue covers, for the most part, October-December, 2010. It also includes some times from earlier in the year. It is obviously a very modest beginning. With your help, it can become much more.
The OCCurrences team
Geri Bowen - OAP
Tish Coats - PUD
Joyce Conner - Administration
Donna Darnell - CSD
Danielle Deal - OAP
Seri Graham - IT
Christine Jolly - Administration
Betty Koehn - Administration
Miranda Lenocker - PST
Tony Middleton - Transportation
Beth Million - OAP (Tulsa)
Lorie Sherrill - Transportation
Matt Skinner - Editor
Kara Spivey - Assistant Editor
Sunni Stephenson - PST
Andrew Tevington - OGC
Tamra Wilkerson - Oil and Gas FROM THE COMMISSION
THE EPA’S HAZY THINKING
How much should a view cost? The Environmental Protection Agency‟s answer for Oklahoma might be „billions of dollars and thousands of jobs.‟
At issue is the EPA‟s push to clear up „haze‟ that the agency claims impacts the views in certain national parks and wildlife refuges. While this is surely something worthy of attention, it‟s important to note that this is not a health issue, but rather one of aesthetics. In Oklahoma, most of the attention is focused on emissions from four coal-fired power plants found to be contributing to the so-called haze.
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) faced the formidable challenge of developing a State Implementation Plan required by the EPA, detailing how Oklahoma intends to combat the problem and meet the mandated standard for visibility. In a recent public meeting the Commission held with DEQ Executive Director Steve Thompson and others on the matter, Director Thompson made a convincing presentation on the logic behind Oklahoma‟s plan, the massive effort that went into its formulation and its sensitivity to the associated costs for Okla-homa ratepayers.
As explained by Director Thompson, Oklahoma‟s plan would allow the power plants in ques-tion to continue burning low sulfur coal while gradually phasing in a transition to clean-burning natural gas by 2026. This strikes us as a common sense approach.
But „common sense‟ is not a term that springs to mind when thinking of federal policy. While nothing is sure yet, all indications are that the EPA will reject Oklahoma‟s plan simply because it doesn‟t fit with the arbitrary “because I said so” approach taken by the EPA on this issue. The expectation now is that the EPA will stick with its mandate for the power plants in question to install drastically expensive “scrubbers” on a schedule that ignores the impact on ratepayers.
As those charged with ensuring fair, just, and reasonable electric rates for Oklahoma, we are warning all who will listen that the impact of the EPA‟s apparently preferred plan on Oklahoma could be devastating. The cost to Oklahoma ratepayers is estimated at over $2 billion. But mak-ing matters even worse is the fact that the actual cost to the state‟s economy as a whole may be even greater. The Oklahoma Industrial Energy Consumers organization estimates a large em-ployer who uses 20 megawatts annually would see a yearly increase of almost $2 million dol-lars. The average increase for industrial users would be $775,000 annually. This could easily prompt employers to move elsewhere, costing Oklahoma dearly in jobs and revenue. To add insult to injury, it appears all this would be completely unnecessary under the mandate. DEQ estimates Oklahoma‟s plan would allow the state to meet the required visibility standards 32 years before the deadline.
The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to issue its decision later this month. Okla-homa‟s government and its people need to be prepared to unite in opposition if the decision is for a plan that needlessly jeopardizes our economy. The stakes are much too high to let this go without a fight.
News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission
BUILDING A FUTURE
Incoming Commission chair Dana Murphy makes economic development, regulatory and technological reforms top priorities
(Oklahoma City) Citing proper funding, regulatory reform and economic development among her top priorities, Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy will begin serving as chair of the Commission effective Jan. 3. She follows Commissioner Bob Anthony as chair-man.
Among the many challenges Commissioner Murphy anticipates the Commission will face in 2011 include ongoing budget shortfalls and federal environmental mandates imposed on Okla-homa dealing with regional haze, emission standards, and hydraulic fracturing,
"Two of my priorities will be working with the legislature, industry and my fellow Commis-sioners to create a plan to tackle the long-term funding shortfall of our Commission oil and gas division and to bring our state regulatory scheme into the modern technology age with elec-tronic filing of all applications and forms by entities regulated by the Commission," Murphy said.
"It makes no sense that the only agency charged with regulating the oil and gas industry—the industry which generates some of the most significant revenue for our state—fails to be pro-vided with funding to hire a sufficient number of field inspectors and technical personnel to oversee regulation. Moreover, electronic filing, which already exists in many of our surround-ing states, is critical to bringing new business to the state and providing increased efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness to the public," she said.
Other challenges faced by the Corporation Commission include the EPA‟s consideration of moves that would place expensive and unnecessary regulation on key sectors of Oklahoma‟s economy. Murphy said the EPA is considering regional haze measures that would be devastat-ing to Oklahoma‟s utilities and their customers. Moreover, the EPA is continuing to consider whether to regulate hydraulic fracturing, a process used by the oil and gas industry, and one al-ready closely regulated by the Commission.
Murphy said the development of Oklahoma‟s wind power industry is also a key concern, par-ticularly the expansion of transmission lines across Oklahoma as approved by the Southwest Power Pool.
(more) (MURPHY, pg 2)
Murphy began serving as a Commissioner in January 2009, following election to a two-year term, completing the unexpired term of former Commissioner Denise Bode. On July 27, Mur-phy was elected to a full six-year term on the Commission in a primary election, as she faced no opponent on the general election ballot.
Murphy will be sworn in for her full six-year term as Commissioner in a ceremony at the Jim Thorpe Office Building at 3 p.m., Jan. 10, following the gubernatorial inauguration.
Murphy is a fifth-generation Oklahoman, geologist, attorney and previously served as an ad-ministrative law judge at the Commission. Among the areas regulated by the Commission are oil and gas drilling and development, public utility rates and services, petroleum storage tanks, motor carriers and pipeline safety.
TIME WARPTIME WARP
Commission agoCommission Newsletter 25 years ago
Christmas 2010Christmas 2010
As always, Commission staff gave generously for the
Salvation Army Angel Toy Drive
CHRISTMAS DINNER Christmas 2010 (CONT.)(CONT.)
CHRISTMAS DINNER
Billie finds a substitute for the missing cym-bals for the upcoming choral number
Junior can’t figure out why he’s suddenly hearing Christmas music in his left ear Christmas 2010 (CONT.)(CONT.)
CHRISTMAS DINNER
Although temporarily handicapped, Agency safety director Bill White nevertheless stands ready to
administer the Heimlich maneuver.
“Mmeth ish gowwd is yrrr, ishwit?”
“MmmUmmm.”
They were either commenting on the tastiness of the food or discussing something from the Oil and Gas docket. Christmas 2010 (CONT.)(CONT.)
The Not-Ready-For-Primetime OCC Christmas Chorus Christmas 2010 (CONT.)(CONT.)
The Not-Ready-For-Primetime OCC Christmas Chorus
“Wait, this isn’t my song sheet. It’s an IFTA application.‖
Lakeesha shows everyone how it’s done! Christmas 2010 (CONT.)(CONT.)
The Not-Ready-For-Primetime OCC Christmas Chorus
―Tell me again how I got talked into this.‖ Christmas 2010 (CONT.)(CONT.)
Gift Raffle Christmas 2010 (CONT.)(CONT.)
Gift Raffle
Lynne realizes she’s won the OCC Christmas Foot in Mouth award. Christmas 2010 (CONT.)(CONT.)
Gift Raffle Deanna Madoux
Crystal Britton
HALLOWEEN 2010HALLOWEEN 2010
Bob McCoy
Pat Walters
Donna Hensley
Louis Saenz HALLOWEEN 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
Lynnsey Pierce
Rebecca Burgman
Sherry Twidwell
Frank Whitney
The Transportation Divas OCC SNAPSOCC SNAPS
Oil and Gas Seminar - There was a full house for the Office of Ad-ministrative Proceedings Oil and Gas Seminar at the Oklahoma Bar As-sociation. While all the sessions got high marks, the Mock Oil and Gas hearing was a big crowd pleaser.
Smile, You’re on candid camera - a KOCO
Channel 5 news photographer got up close and per-sonal while doing a story on OCC motor carrier
enforcement.
The Pigeon Whisperer - Brandy Wreath of PUD proves complicated utility matters aren’t the only things he can handle. The PST Think Tank Minute
Technical
In March 2009 Growth Energy (a coalition of U.S. ethanol supporters) and 54 ethanol manufacturers applied for a waiver from the EPA to increase the allowable amount of ethanol in gasoline from E10 (90% gasoline, 10% ethanol) to E15 (15% ethanol, 85% gasoline). The EPA partially granted this waiver request on October 13, 2010. The waiver will allow manufacturers to introduce into commerce gasoline that contains up to 15% ethanol for use in 2007 model or newer light duty motor vehicles; which includes passenger cars, light duty trucks, and medium duty passenger vehicles.
The EPA is disallowing the use of E15 in vehicles with a model year older than 2000 and all motorcycles, heavy duty engines (i.e. school buses and delivery trucks), off road vehicles (i.e. boats, snowmobiles), and off road equipment (i.e. lawn mowers, chainsaws) due to insufficient test data.
The agency is deferring a decision on vehicles with model years between 2001 and 2006 until more information is available.
EPA placed two types of conditions on the waiver for E15; those for preventing the potential for miss-fueling of E15 into vehicles for which E15 is not approved and those addressing fuel and ethanol quality. These conditions must be addressed prior to the introduction of E15 into commerce. The EPA is proposing a regulatory program to address these concerns. For a more extensive explanation of the subject visit the link: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/fuels/additive/e15/index.htm
Compliance
Salim Douglah strikes a pose beside the new PSTD truck.
Online Operator Training
To comply with the 2005 Energy Act, the Petroleum Storage Tank Division has developed an online Operator Training Program for Underground Storage Tank owners.
The training program is free for Oklahoma tank owners! It takes approximately 2 hours to complete and trainees can stop and save their progress. Upon completion, a certificate prints to display at the facility.
At ServiceAt Your Service
News DivisionNews from the Consumer Services Division
by Donna Darnell
2010 was a busy year for the staff of the Consumer Services Division. As manager of Consumer Education and Public Outreach, Jim Palmer traveled the state during 2010 making 25 public speaking engagements to fraternal, civic and educational groups, and reaching 3,839 Oklahoma consumers. Palmer covered every aspect of the Commission during these appearances, including its history and structure. He focused on current issues before the Commission and matters of interest to consumers through question and answer sessions. Such topics as the overlay of a new area code with the pending exhaust of the 918 area code in Eastern Okla-homa; how electricity and natural gas rates are determined; oil and gas drilling and production and related matters such as the impact of horizontal drilling and ―fracking;‖ and alternative forms of energy with emphasis on the growth of wind energy in our state and the on-going matter of building new transmission lines to accommodate power from these farms.
If anyone knows of a group that would like a speaker, please let Jim know and he will approach that group. It is helpful to have a contact name and phone or email to start with. Call Jim at 405-521-4018 or reach him through his work email at j.palmer@occemail.com . His speaking calendar is beginning to fill up for early 2011 but he can certainly use more.
As always, the Oil & Gas Complaints & Information Department was out and about in 2010 meeting with royalty owners and other oil and gas industry related groups. In the spring, Donna Darnell and Mallory Scott provided an exhibit at the an-nual convention of the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Association of Royalty Owners in Norman, Oklahoma where they also presented a demonstration of the online OCC databases. Mallory Scott and Junior Freeman had a booth at the Marginal Wells Commission Trade Expo in Oklahoma City as they have for the past several years. The highlight of the year was the department’s third annual ―Workshop for Non-Resident Oklahoma Royalty Owners‖ presented in San Fran-cisco, California by Brooks Mitchell, Donna Darnell, and Mallory Scott. Be-cause the department receives so many calls from out of state royalty owners, staff members have traveled to several cities to educate those owners about their valuable Oklahoma assets. Speakers at the workshop include staff and industry experts from Oklahoma.
Many of you know what a great cook Junior Freeman is. In September, Junior entered the Oklahoma State Fair's "Some Like It Hot" Salsa Competition. He en-tered his Toasted Coconut Mango Salsa in the Sweet/Mild category, A Mandarin Orange Tomatillo Salsa in the hot category and a standard tomato salsa in the ―Call the Fire Department XXX Hot‖ category.
At Your Service (Cont.)(Cont.)
Junior won first place with the Toasted Coconut/ Mango Salsa as well as The Peo-ples’ Choice Award and Grand Champion Award. Junior said he got the idea for the recipe while walking through the grocery store looking at ingredients. He started off planning to make a Pecan Praline Salsa but got sidetracked when he saw some Mangos. The rest of the ingredients just fell into place. Not many peo-ple would think of making a salsa with plain yogurt, Smuckers caramel sauce, pur-ple onions, mangos, candied jalapeno peppers, habanera peppers, creamed corn, cilantro and toasted coconut....only Junior.
Here’s Junior’s prize winning recipe:
RECIPE
(5) LARGE RIPE MANGOS – PEELED AND DICED
8 OZ PLAIN YOGURT
4 OZ SMUCKERS CARAMEL SAUCE
(1) RED ONION – FINELY DICED
(4) LARGE JALAPENO PEPPERS – CANDIED AND DICED *
1/2 HABANERA PEPPER – FINELY DICED
4 OZ SWEET CREAMED CORN
1/2 BUNCH CILANTRO – CHOPPED
4 OZ FLAKED COCONUT – TOASTED (Reserve 1 oz as topping)
Combine all ingredients in large bowl and fold together being careful not to crush the mango chunks too much. Chill before serving and garnish with the reserved toasted coconut on top of the salsa prior to serving.
* Candied Jalapeno Peppers – take peppers and de-vein and de-seed and cut into ¼ inch rings. Place in a small pan with 2 oz white vinegar and 1 cup sugar and bring to slow boil until peppers change colors to a dark green (approx. 5 min-utes). Remove from heat and let cool. Dice the peppers before adding to the salsa.
Junior has en-tered the salsa competition for three years and won First place, Peoples’ Choice and Grand Cham-pion all three years. Congratu-lations, Junior!
Junior Freeman entered a Celebrity Poker Tournament for the Muscular Dystrophy Association where 365 people played in a Celebrity Texas Holdem Poker Tournament. Guest celebrities included Jerry Mathers of "Leave It to Beaver”, Donny Most, who played Ralph Malph on "Happy Days”, and ex-Oklahoma Sooner football player and NFL star Rufus Alexander. Junior lasted through seven rounds but said the highlight of the tournament was meeting Jerry Mathers and having his picture taken with him. At Your Service (Cont.)(Cont.)
Congratulations to Cojuan Crear of the Mineral Owners Escrow Account for being selected the agency’s employee of the month for March 2010. The MOEA would like to wish all OCC employees a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
On a personal note, Bill White has been using his volunteer talents throughout the year for different groups. For Special Olympics, he was the scorekeeper for volleyball and bowling events during the State's Winter Olympics, then in the spring, he assisted with the Oklahoma City regional field and track events with handing out the team awards and followed up with the State field and track games in Stillwater by serving on the awards committee with presentation of individual awards to the winning athletes. On most Saturday mornings, he works with the Infant Crisis Services by restocking their warehouse shelves. In October, he served as the start line co-chair for the OKC Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure.
In May, Ms. LeAnn Jenkins, Executive Director for the Federal Executive Board in Oklahoma, presented Bill White with a certificate of completion for Continuity of Operations Excellence Series - Level I Professional Continuity of Practitioner. At the time of the presentation, he was one of five Oklahomans completing the pro-gram. Two were federal employees and three were state employees.
Among his other duties, Bill serves as the agency's liaison to the Oklahoma De-partment of Emergency Management and is gearing up for future electric power, natural gas, and telecommunications outages that occur across the State of Okla-homa each year. IT HAPPENSIT HAPPENS
What’s New?
IT recently distributed the Microsoft Office 2007 suite. Hopefully everyone is adjusting well. Many more features are available in this version If you need additional information, we have links to the manual as well as online training. These links are on the Intranet home page (http://occintranet.com). Each division was provided with at least one printed manual. The manual is large, so additional copies will be charged to divisions.
As always, if you have a question or concern with the software upgrade, please call the OCC IT Helpdesk at 405-521-3636.
Good Deeds
The old saying, ―if it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all‖, seemed to be the only statement the Jones High School could make this last year.
First, a disastrous fire destroyed the main building and all equipment, including the computer lab on December 10th, 2007. To compound the problems of providing adequate resources for their students, Jones High School suffered two break-ins that resulted in the loss of their computers.
On a brighter note, the Little Axe Volunteer Fire Department raised enough money to build a new Fire Station and partially equip it with new accessories. However, they ran out of funds before they could purchase equipment for a planned computer center.
When the IT Department was notified of the request to help these 2 very deserving entities, we asked for approval from the Department of Central Services to provide the computer systems from our surplus/salvage program. We were able to provide 15 desktop computer systems to Jones High School and 10 desktop computer systems to The Little Axe Volunteer Fire Department.
This is just one way we can give back to our State.
Get to Know Us Better…
Michelle Smith is our IT Director and has worked with the Commission since August 2005. Previously she worked at OKDHS for 7 years as an Information Systems Manager. Her IT career began in private industry where she was a programmer and network administrator for nearly 10 years. Michelle has been married to her husband Marvin for 23 years and they have 4 kids and 2 dogs. Between piano, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, she doesn’t have much time for getting into trouble. IT HAPPENS (CONT.)
IT Adds Capability for Finance to Process EFT Debits
Several OCC divisions have requirements to send (and receive) check payments to individuals, companies and other state agencies. Not long ago the only method Finance had of receiving and disbursing funds was through paper checks. Outgoing checks were usually created on a typewriter. About four years the IT division developed the CheckWriting application that allowed Finance personnel to create and process checks electronically, with the actual paper checks being generated on a printer. Also at that time, the application allowed Finance to receive and process electronic check payments through the State Treasurer.
Not long after the application was created, Finance personnel identified the need to send and receive electronic funds transfers (EFTs) to handle electronic payments and collections for IFTA/IRP. This capability was added to the application, and the application was renamed CheckEFT. As with electronic checks, all EFTs pass through the State Treasurer. At that time there existed only a requirement to process EFT credits. Finance could deposit funds into an individual, company or other state agency bank account, but could not withdraw funds from the bank account.
During the development of the new IRP module, the Transportation Division identified a need for Finance to process EFT debits. EFT debits are set up in advance by agreements between Finance and individuals, companies or other state agencies. This agreement allows Finance to not only deposit funds into the bank accounts, but to withdraw funds as well. The IT Division coordinated with the State Treasurer and added the capability to process EFT debits to the CheckEFT application.
IT Tip
Keyboard shortcuts are available for copy, cut and paste! Hold down the Ctrl and C keys together to copy your selection. Ctrl and X together function as cut. Ctrl and V together will paste it behind your cursor location. We have a few Oil and Gas Specialists with some exciting news:
On September 3rd, 2010, Jason Pryor married his girlfriend Amy. Sarah Snowbarger is engaged to marry her boyfriend Ricky on April 16th, 2011. We are happy for them both!
We have had several births in 2010. Tamra Wilkerson, started off the year with a little boy, Wyatt Edward. Mid-year we heard of two new additions on the same day! Cheryl Fitzgerald welcomed into the world little Savannah Lynn and Ron Dunkin was proud to meet little Dunkin Lee, both grandchildren for them. Mr. Bob Griffith is expecting his first grandchild, a girl, sometime in March. He could not be more excited!
Bob McCoy is going to adopt another little girl. Her name is An Qiaoxia and they are going to call her Bailey Amber. She was found in Zhouhewan Village, Xisanhuan. She was born on July 29th of 2009. Congratulations Bob! Wayne Wright’s grandson is in the playoffs! He is a freshman in High School and is playing on the Velma-Alma Comets Varsity team for the state Championship! Go Comets!!!!
The Oil and Gas District IV office in Ada wanted to honor Pat Walters for the good job that she does. They had to think to themselves…‖What would go great with Pat? Fish. Fish would go great with Pat‖ and so the ―First Annual Pat Walters Fish Fry‖ was born. They all had a really good time (except maybe the fish).
OIL AND GAS NEWS
O&G Field Inspector Dennis Darragh’s son, Edwin Ortiz, was featured singing the Star Spangled Banner during a November 7th Dallas Cowboys-Green Bay Packers game. Edwin is a member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment currently deployed to various locations in southern Iraq. OIL AND GAS NEWS (Cont.)
And finally, Jim Rosado has something to say:
Why I Work at the OCC
I've been employed here at the OCC for only a very few years (less than five, in fact), but I enjoy working here just as much now as the day that I first walked through the door. In fact, I continue to like it here and more and more with each passing workday.
Having seen many different job locations around the world during my 20-year Air Force career, I can honestly say that I've experienced some of the best . . . and the worst . . . in terms of typical workplace settings. I know a "bad workplace environment" when I see one; please believe me when I say that the Oil and Gas Conservation of the OCC is not one of those. Conversely, it is the exact opposite!
From day one, I've noticed how the different sections within our division work together to keep the workflow moving. Each section does its part to help keep track of the papework that documents the history and production performance of thousands of Oklahoma gas and oil wells. It's amazing to me how effectively our division is able to come together to protect what is increasingly an invaluable resource for the state of Oklahoma.
We should all be very proud of the job that we continue to do within the Oil and Gas Conservation Division. I cannot really speak for other divisions within the OCC, since I've only seen what goes on within our own division. However, I would be quite hard-pressed to try and find a better workplace in state government. The "fun factor" here is definitely off the scale, and I continue to look forward to coming to work each and every day.
Kudos to a division that continues to provide instant customer service, endless client assistance and professional compliance monitoring each and every day. Our motto, "Excellence Is Our Standard", is displayed in everything that we do! I'm not just saying that as one of the members of this division; I'm saying it as one of the newest members of your team. Way to go! The PUD Post
Divison Highlights
OCTOBER
On October 28th most of the PUD Staff traveled to Frederick, Oklahoma for a tour of their cotton gin.
NOVEMBER
November 1-5, Joel Rodriguez, Kris Prouty, Glenda Buchanan, and Kiran Patel attended NARUC Utility Rate School in Clearwater, Florida. They learned the fundamentals of the utility rate setting process, including how to establish revenue requirements and the basic concepts of rate design.
On November 2, Chris Herbison attended a USAC training for applicants who participate in the Universal Service Fund's Schools and Libraries (E-rate) Program. The training was held in Grapevine, Texas.
SCC— State Charitable Campaign
This year our agency raised $17,350.00. PUD’s very own Susan Hendrick was named the ―2010 Outstanding Employee Campaign Coordinator‖ by the State Charitable Campaign for her dedicated hard work during the SCC Campaign. Way to go Susan!
Kyle Barkley & Lynne Jones volunteering at
the SCC kickoff at the capitol Sept. 22nd.
Joyce Conner won the basket for the SCC pledge card drawing. Anyone who filled out a pledge for at least $2.00 a month was eligible.
Kiran Patel & Dianne McGarry
Cotton Gin Pressing Machines September:
-4th Susan Hendrick
-20th Tonya Hinex-Ford
-22nd Kiran Patel
November:
-8th Javad Seyedoff
-12th Debbie Parter
Brandy & Marie Wreath hosted an OU/TX party at their home. There was food, fishing, bike riding, animal petting, and oh yeah, some football watching as well.
Employee Birthdays
Brandy Wreath & Glenda Buchanan
Fisherman Trent
Brandy Wreath, Tate Campbell, Evan Lowe, & Truitt Campbell
Chunk-he the Buffalo & Tate
Bob Thompson & wife Tina
The PUD Post (Cont.) Employee AwardsEmployee of the Month Awards
20102010
January 2010 — Jason Pryor
February 2010 — Michael Embrey
March 2010 — Cojuan Crear Employee AwardsEmployee of the Month Awards
2010 (Cont)(Cont)
May 2010 —Terri Baker
June 2010 — Jeff Brown
April 2010 —Susan Conrad Employee AwardsEmployee of the Month Awards
2010 (Cont)(Cont)
October 2010— Jim Rosado
August 2010— Lesia Pollard
July 2010— Deborah Moye December 2010— Kathy Tucker
November 2010 — Joey Parson
Employee AwardsEmployee of the Month Awards
2010 (Cont)(Cont) Service Awards -- 20102010
5 years
James Hoy, Jr.
Jill Ortega
Carmon Sherwan
Deborah Ross
Laurence Snyder
Finny Joseph Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
5 years
Virginia Hullinger
Linda Chadwell
James Myles
Lloyd Faver
Roger Pearman
Javad Seyedoff Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
5 years
Terri Baker
Francie Ludwick
Connie Pan
Christine Brewer
Sunni Stephenson
Myra Fleming Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
Service Awards — 5 years
William Pogue
Service Awards — 10 years
Seri Graham
Becky Ladd
Bonnie Ledford
Comm. Jeff Cloud Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
10 years
Angela Dew
Barbara Colbert
Russie Garrett
Susan Adlamini
Cojuan Crear
Annetta Monden Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
10 years
Patricia Billingsley
Mary Sutherland
Joey Parson
Darla Wollitz
Sandra McNeal
Tim Davis
15 years Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
Joyce Conner
Andy Walker
Jackie Hollinhead
15 years
20 years
Susan Conrad
Nancy Williams Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
Connie Moore
20 years
Billy Shuffeldt
Nick Hensler
Gene Gilstrap
Salim Douglah
Richard Massey Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
25 years
30 years
Maribeth Snapp
Bob McCoy
Rita Hejny
Betty Koehn
Mike Henley Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
Deborah Moye
Peggy Mitchell
Barbara Joslen
30 years
35 years Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
Not pictured:
5 Years Service: Pam Eisenhour; Jack Bradshaw; Michael Norris; Gary Matli;
Darrel Wilkes; William Cox; Danny Cluck; Steven Baze; Keith Tho-mas; Steven Turner; Darrell Martin; Douglas Vincent; Earl Hendricks; Fairo Mitchell; Linda Gore; Randall Whelan; Mary Her-nandez
10 Years Service: Gayland Darity; David Howard; Johnny Harper; Danielle Maxey; Matthew Skinner; Christopher Winton; Allen Clark; Tina Barberousse
15 Years Service: Stephen Warren; Gary Wood; Karen Forbes; Helen Wehrenberg; John Hurd; Garey Wortham; Patricia Harris; Ivone Peck; Terry White;
Michael Staples
20 Years Service: Ralph Bauer; Billy Ragsdale; Ronald Smith; Tommy Murray; Michele O’Craig; Benjamin Novosad; Marchi McCartney
25 Years Service: Roger Conaghan; Glenlynn Mooney; Randy Schmitz; Kelly Phelps; Judy Lansford; Jimmy Don Garrett; Kenneth

Volume 1, Issue 1
December 2010 Chairman Bob Anthony
Welcome to the first edition of OCCurrences, the renewal of the Commission’s employee newsletter.
2011 brings with it the opportunity to fashion public policy both for our state and this region of the country on a variety of issues that can impact Oklahoma citizens and the state’s economy for decades to come. Oklahoma is blessed with an abundance of resources, not just oil and gas but renewables such as wind and solar. However, the best wind resources are not near our population centers, so the utility companies and the Southwest Power Pool must work to ensure that necessary transmission lines are built on a business model that is reliable, cost effective and acceptable. They must also consider transmission cost overruns to be sure that wind projects actually provide the value they promise.
Drilling and production of Oklahoma’s petroleum resources has been a cornerstone of the state’s economy for decades. Combining hydraulic fracturing (a well completion technique in use for over 60 years) with improvements in horizontal drilling technology allows companies to unlock oil and natural gas trapped in shale formations. The abundance of these shales in states across our country adds more than 100 years to the productive life of natural gas. In Oklahoma we have a successful history of regulating exploration and production. We need to build on that tradition and export that expertise to those states experiencing the new drilling boom. A one size fits all federal regulatory program could add significant cost without bringing any noticeable environmental benefits over state level regulation.
Another environmental area that deserves careful watching is the EPA’s implementation of a regional haze rule. This seeks to improve visibility in national parks and wildlife areas. Four Oklahoma coal-fired electric plants are among those listed. Having to retrofit those plants at an estimated cost of $2 billion could lead to the biggest single increase in electric rates this state has faced. We need to join other state agencies in supporting alternatives that can meet the requirements with a reasonable price tag.
And we must learn to use the energy we have more efficiently. This does not mean having to cut back and doing without. It does mean being aware of how and when we use energy. During 2011 both the natural gas and electric utilities are due for hearings on their energy efficiency plans. These need to be designed to bring the maximum benefits to customers at the most reasonable cost.
And, let’s support expanded utilization of the natural gas produced in Oklahoma, including compressed natural gas vehicles. This produces a win-win-win situation by bringing jobs and revenue to the state, giving drivers an alternative fuel that is cheaper than gasoline and reducing the nation’s dependence on imported foreign oil.
On the electric side, OG&E is one of the first electric utilities in the country to install smart meters and smart grid technology system wide and PSO is beginning a pilot project in Owasso. This can lead to cost savings in reduced labor costs and faster restoration of power after storms or other outages. Individual customers can save by shifting energy usage to more cost efficient times. But just sending consumers proper pricing signals is only a part of the job. We must design time of use and other appropriate rate structures so that customers can benefit from those price signals.
Commissioners’ CornerCommissioners’ Corner It’s fitting that the OCC employee newsletter is being revived at this time, as our need for clear communication throughout the agency on the challenging issues we all face is greater than ever.
I firmly believe that every challenge is an opportunity. Obviously, the biggest challenge we faced in the past fiscal year was monetary. But it was also an opportunity to show all concerned our professionalism and our commitment. I’m proud to say you did just that.
The numbers tell the tale. Space does not allow more than a small sampling of the work performed, but here’s a sample: In spite of the furlough days and staff reductions we had to take in the past fiscal year, the Commission’s Court Clerk’s office processed more than 24,000 applications and more than 7,000 orders amounting to many millions of dollars in economic activity. The Oil and Gas division handled 926 pollution-related citizen complaints and 588 incidents reported by the industry, 790 non-pollution-related citizen complaints, and oversaw 3,011 well mechanical integrity tests. Our Administrative Law Judges held more than 26,000 hearings. The Public Utility Division tackled a case load totaling more than 400. Our Transportation Division handled more than 3,000 motor carrier registrations, performed more than 179,000 vehicle checks, and inspected the facilities of over 200 pipeline operators. Our Petroleum Storage Tank Division performed more than 8,000 service station inspections, and check more than 97,000 pump calibrations.
Again, this is just a very tiny sample. All the Commission’s divisions stepped up and fulfilled our commitment to excellence in spite of the obstacles.
I am optimistic about the new year and what it will mean for this agency. We have taken our lumps and proven our worth. It is an honor to serve with you.
mitChell’s messagemitChell’s message About newsletterAbout the newsletter
Welcome to the inaugural issue of OCCurrences!
While this is the first issue, it is also a revival of the Commission employee newsletter. Those who joined the Commission in the 21st century may not be aware that the Commission once had a monthly newsletter called The Regulator, which was itself a successor to a mimeographed, much simpler newsletter called Commission Transmission. What’s different this time? Aside from the name, there are several: The Regulator was monthly, OCCurrences will be a quarterly. With the exception of a few issues done in PowerPoint, The Regulator was printed, while OCCurrences will be digital. The Regulator was distributed to field personnel and others by mail; OCCurrences will be available for downloading from the OCC Intranet. The Regulator was severely hampered by both cost and logistic concerns (printing costs, number of photos that could be used, formatting complexities, etc). OCCurrences, while still a challenge, does not pose as great a set of limitations.
What’s the newsletter about? It’s about you. So obviously, just how good it is depends on you contributing items, suggestions, criticisms, etc. Look at the names below. Help them help you. If you have an item, give it to them. Don’t worry if you can’t work it up into an article or even a paragraph, just let them know and they’ll take it from there. It can be work-related, or it could something of interest from your personal life. Again - it’s about you.
This issue covers, for the most part, October-December, 2010. It also includes some times from earlier in the year. It is obviously a very modest beginning. With your help, it can become much more.
The OCCurrences team
Geri Bowen - OAP
Tish Coats - PUD
Joyce Conner - Administration
Donna Darnell - CSD
Danielle Deal - OAP
Seri Graham - IT
Christine Jolly - Administration
Betty Koehn - Administration
Miranda Lenocker - PST
Tony Middleton - Transportation
Beth Million - OAP (Tulsa)
Lorie Sherrill - Transportation
Matt Skinner - Editor
Kara Spivey - Assistant Editor
Sunni Stephenson - PST
Andrew Tevington - OGC
Tamra Wilkerson - Oil and Gas FROM THE COMMISSION
THE EPA’S HAZY THINKING
How much should a view cost? The Environmental Protection Agency‟s answer for Oklahoma might be „billions of dollars and thousands of jobs.‟
At issue is the EPA‟s push to clear up „haze‟ that the agency claims impacts the views in certain national parks and wildlife refuges. While this is surely something worthy of attention, it‟s important to note that this is not a health issue, but rather one of aesthetics. In Oklahoma, most of the attention is focused on emissions from four coal-fired power plants found to be contributing to the so-called haze.
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) faced the formidable challenge of developing a State Implementation Plan required by the EPA, detailing how Oklahoma intends to combat the problem and meet the mandated standard for visibility. In a recent public meeting the Commission held with DEQ Executive Director Steve Thompson and others on the matter, Director Thompson made a convincing presentation on the logic behind Oklahoma‟s plan, the massive effort that went into its formulation and its sensitivity to the associated costs for Okla-homa ratepayers.
As explained by Director Thompson, Oklahoma‟s plan would allow the power plants in ques-tion to continue burning low sulfur coal while gradually phasing in a transition to clean-burning natural gas by 2026. This strikes us as a common sense approach.
But „common sense‟ is not a term that springs to mind when thinking of federal policy. While nothing is sure yet, all indications are that the EPA will reject Oklahoma‟s plan simply because it doesn‟t fit with the arbitrary “because I said so” approach taken by the EPA on this issue. The expectation now is that the EPA will stick with its mandate for the power plants in question to install drastically expensive “scrubbers” on a schedule that ignores the impact on ratepayers.
As those charged with ensuring fair, just, and reasonable electric rates for Oklahoma, we are warning all who will listen that the impact of the EPA‟s apparently preferred plan on Oklahoma could be devastating. The cost to Oklahoma ratepayers is estimated at over $2 billion. But mak-ing matters even worse is the fact that the actual cost to the state‟s economy as a whole may be even greater. The Oklahoma Industrial Energy Consumers organization estimates a large em-ployer who uses 20 megawatts annually would see a yearly increase of almost $2 million dol-lars. The average increase for industrial users would be $775,000 annually. This could easily prompt employers to move elsewhere, costing Oklahoma dearly in jobs and revenue. To add insult to injury, it appears all this would be completely unnecessary under the mandate. DEQ estimates Oklahoma‟s plan would allow the state to meet the required visibility standards 32 years before the deadline.
The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to issue its decision later this month. Okla-homa‟s government and its people need to be prepared to unite in opposition if the decision is for a plan that needlessly jeopardizes our economy. The stakes are much too high to let this go without a fight.
News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission
BUILDING A FUTURE
Incoming Commission chair Dana Murphy makes economic development, regulatory and technological reforms top priorities
(Oklahoma City) Citing proper funding, regulatory reform and economic development among her top priorities, Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy will begin serving as chair of the Commission effective Jan. 3. She follows Commissioner Bob Anthony as chair-man.
Among the many challenges Commissioner Murphy anticipates the Commission will face in 2011 include ongoing budget shortfalls and federal environmental mandates imposed on Okla-homa dealing with regional haze, emission standards, and hydraulic fracturing,
"Two of my priorities will be working with the legislature, industry and my fellow Commis-sioners to create a plan to tackle the long-term funding shortfall of our Commission oil and gas division and to bring our state regulatory scheme into the modern technology age with elec-tronic filing of all applications and forms by entities regulated by the Commission," Murphy said.
"It makes no sense that the only agency charged with regulating the oil and gas industry—the industry which generates some of the most significant revenue for our state—fails to be pro-vided with funding to hire a sufficient number of field inspectors and technical personnel to oversee regulation. Moreover, electronic filing, which already exists in many of our surround-ing states, is critical to bringing new business to the state and providing increased efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness to the public," she said.
Other challenges faced by the Corporation Commission include the EPA‟s consideration of moves that would place expensive and unnecessary regulation on key sectors of Oklahoma‟s economy. Murphy said the EPA is considering regional haze measures that would be devastat-ing to Oklahoma‟s utilities and their customers. Moreover, the EPA is continuing to consider whether to regulate hydraulic fracturing, a process used by the oil and gas industry, and one al-ready closely regulated by the Commission.
Murphy said the development of Oklahoma‟s wind power industry is also a key concern, par-ticularly the expansion of transmission lines across Oklahoma as approved by the Southwest Power Pool.
(more) (MURPHY, pg 2)
Murphy began serving as a Commissioner in January 2009, following election to a two-year term, completing the unexpired term of former Commissioner Denise Bode. On July 27, Mur-phy was elected to a full six-year term on the Commission in a primary election, as she faced no opponent on the general election ballot.
Murphy will be sworn in for her full six-year term as Commissioner in a ceremony at the Jim Thorpe Office Building at 3 p.m., Jan. 10, following the gubernatorial inauguration.
Murphy is a fifth-generation Oklahoman, geologist, attorney and previously served as an ad-ministrative law judge at the Commission. Among the areas regulated by the Commission are oil and gas drilling and development, public utility rates and services, petroleum storage tanks, motor carriers and pipeline safety.
TIME WARPTIME WARP
Commission agoCommission Newsletter 25 years ago
Christmas 2010Christmas 2010
As always, Commission staff gave generously for the
Salvation Army Angel Toy Drive
CHRISTMAS DINNER Christmas 2010 (CONT.)(CONT.)
CHRISTMAS DINNER
Billie finds a substitute for the missing cym-bals for the upcoming choral number
Junior can’t figure out why he’s suddenly hearing Christmas music in his left ear Christmas 2010 (CONT.)(CONT.)
CHRISTMAS DINNER
Although temporarily handicapped, Agency safety director Bill White nevertheless stands ready to
administer the Heimlich maneuver.
“Mmeth ish gowwd is yrrr, ishwit?”
“MmmUmmm.”
They were either commenting on the tastiness of the food or discussing something from the Oil and Gas docket. Christmas 2010 (CONT.)(CONT.)
The Not-Ready-For-Primetime OCC Christmas Chorus Christmas 2010 (CONT.)(CONT.)
The Not-Ready-For-Primetime OCC Christmas Chorus
“Wait, this isn’t my song sheet. It’s an IFTA application.‖
Lakeesha shows everyone how it’s done! Christmas 2010 (CONT.)(CONT.)
The Not-Ready-For-Primetime OCC Christmas Chorus
―Tell me again how I got talked into this.‖ Christmas 2010 (CONT.)(CONT.)
Gift Raffle Christmas 2010 (CONT.)(CONT.)
Gift Raffle
Lynne realizes she’s won the OCC Christmas Foot in Mouth award. Christmas 2010 (CONT.)(CONT.)
Gift Raffle Deanna Madoux
Crystal Britton
HALLOWEEN 2010HALLOWEEN 2010
Bob McCoy
Pat Walters
Donna Hensley
Louis Saenz HALLOWEEN 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
Lynnsey Pierce
Rebecca Burgman
Sherry Twidwell
Frank Whitney
The Transportation Divas OCC SNAPSOCC SNAPS
Oil and Gas Seminar - There was a full house for the Office of Ad-ministrative Proceedings Oil and Gas Seminar at the Oklahoma Bar As-sociation. While all the sessions got high marks, the Mock Oil and Gas hearing was a big crowd pleaser.
Smile, You’re on candid camera - a KOCO
Channel 5 news photographer got up close and per-sonal while doing a story on OCC motor carrier
enforcement.
The Pigeon Whisperer - Brandy Wreath of PUD proves complicated utility matters aren’t the only things he can handle. The PST Think Tank Minute
Technical
In March 2009 Growth Energy (a coalition of U.S. ethanol supporters) and 54 ethanol manufacturers applied for a waiver from the EPA to increase the allowable amount of ethanol in gasoline from E10 (90% gasoline, 10% ethanol) to E15 (15% ethanol, 85% gasoline). The EPA partially granted this waiver request on October 13, 2010. The waiver will allow manufacturers to introduce into commerce gasoline that contains up to 15% ethanol for use in 2007 model or newer light duty motor vehicles; which includes passenger cars, light duty trucks, and medium duty passenger vehicles.
The EPA is disallowing the use of E15 in vehicles with a model year older than 2000 and all motorcycles, heavy duty engines (i.e. school buses and delivery trucks), off road vehicles (i.e. boats, snowmobiles), and off road equipment (i.e. lawn mowers, chainsaws) due to insufficient test data.
The agency is deferring a decision on vehicles with model years between 2001 and 2006 until more information is available.
EPA placed two types of conditions on the waiver for E15; those for preventing the potential for miss-fueling of E15 into vehicles for which E15 is not approved and those addressing fuel and ethanol quality. These conditions must be addressed prior to the introduction of E15 into commerce. The EPA is proposing a regulatory program to address these concerns. For a more extensive explanation of the subject visit the link: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/fuels/additive/e15/index.htm
Compliance
Salim Douglah strikes a pose beside the new PSTD truck.
Online Operator Training
To comply with the 2005 Energy Act, the Petroleum Storage Tank Division has developed an online Operator Training Program for Underground Storage Tank owners.
The training program is free for Oklahoma tank owners! It takes approximately 2 hours to complete and trainees can stop and save their progress. Upon completion, a certificate prints to display at the facility.
At ServiceAt Your Service
News DivisionNews from the Consumer Services Division
by Donna Darnell
2010 was a busy year for the staff of the Consumer Services Division. As manager of Consumer Education and Public Outreach, Jim Palmer traveled the state during 2010 making 25 public speaking engagements to fraternal, civic and educational groups, and reaching 3,839 Oklahoma consumers. Palmer covered every aspect of the Commission during these appearances, including its history and structure. He focused on current issues before the Commission and matters of interest to consumers through question and answer sessions. Such topics as the overlay of a new area code with the pending exhaust of the 918 area code in Eastern Okla-homa; how electricity and natural gas rates are determined; oil and gas drilling and production and related matters such as the impact of horizontal drilling and ―fracking;‖ and alternative forms of energy with emphasis on the growth of wind energy in our state and the on-going matter of building new transmission lines to accommodate power from these farms.
If anyone knows of a group that would like a speaker, please let Jim know and he will approach that group. It is helpful to have a contact name and phone or email to start with. Call Jim at 405-521-4018 or reach him through his work email at j.palmer@occemail.com . His speaking calendar is beginning to fill up for early 2011 but he can certainly use more.
As always, the Oil & Gas Complaints & Information Department was out and about in 2010 meeting with royalty owners and other oil and gas industry related groups. In the spring, Donna Darnell and Mallory Scott provided an exhibit at the an-nual convention of the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Association of Royalty Owners in Norman, Oklahoma where they also presented a demonstration of the online OCC databases. Mallory Scott and Junior Freeman had a booth at the Marginal Wells Commission Trade Expo in Oklahoma City as they have for the past several years. The highlight of the year was the department’s third annual ―Workshop for Non-Resident Oklahoma Royalty Owners‖ presented in San Fran-cisco, California by Brooks Mitchell, Donna Darnell, and Mallory Scott. Be-cause the department receives so many calls from out of state royalty owners, staff members have traveled to several cities to educate those owners about their valuable Oklahoma assets. Speakers at the workshop include staff and industry experts from Oklahoma.
Many of you know what a great cook Junior Freeman is. In September, Junior entered the Oklahoma State Fair's "Some Like It Hot" Salsa Competition. He en-tered his Toasted Coconut Mango Salsa in the Sweet/Mild category, A Mandarin Orange Tomatillo Salsa in the hot category and a standard tomato salsa in the ―Call the Fire Department XXX Hot‖ category.
At Your Service (Cont.)(Cont.)
Junior won first place with the Toasted Coconut/ Mango Salsa as well as The Peo-ples’ Choice Award and Grand Champion Award. Junior said he got the idea for the recipe while walking through the grocery store looking at ingredients. He started off planning to make a Pecan Praline Salsa but got sidetracked when he saw some Mangos. The rest of the ingredients just fell into place. Not many peo-ple would think of making a salsa with plain yogurt, Smuckers caramel sauce, pur-ple onions, mangos, candied jalapeno peppers, habanera peppers, creamed corn, cilantro and toasted coconut....only Junior.
Here’s Junior’s prize winning recipe:
RECIPE
(5) LARGE RIPE MANGOS – PEELED AND DICED
8 OZ PLAIN YOGURT
4 OZ SMUCKERS CARAMEL SAUCE
(1) RED ONION – FINELY DICED
(4) LARGE JALAPENO PEPPERS – CANDIED AND DICED *
1/2 HABANERA PEPPER – FINELY DICED
4 OZ SWEET CREAMED CORN
1/2 BUNCH CILANTRO – CHOPPED
4 OZ FLAKED COCONUT – TOASTED (Reserve 1 oz as topping)
Combine all ingredients in large bowl and fold together being careful not to crush the mango chunks too much. Chill before serving and garnish with the reserved toasted coconut on top of the salsa prior to serving.
* Candied Jalapeno Peppers – take peppers and de-vein and de-seed and cut into ¼ inch rings. Place in a small pan with 2 oz white vinegar and 1 cup sugar and bring to slow boil until peppers change colors to a dark green (approx. 5 min-utes). Remove from heat and let cool. Dice the peppers before adding to the salsa.
Junior has en-tered the salsa competition for three years and won First place, Peoples’ Choice and Grand Cham-pion all three years. Congratu-lations, Junior!
Junior Freeman entered a Celebrity Poker Tournament for the Muscular Dystrophy Association where 365 people played in a Celebrity Texas Holdem Poker Tournament. Guest celebrities included Jerry Mathers of "Leave It to Beaver”, Donny Most, who played Ralph Malph on "Happy Days”, and ex-Oklahoma Sooner football player and NFL star Rufus Alexander. Junior lasted through seven rounds but said the highlight of the tournament was meeting Jerry Mathers and having his picture taken with him. At Your Service (Cont.)(Cont.)
Congratulations to Cojuan Crear of the Mineral Owners Escrow Account for being selected the agency’s employee of the month for March 2010. The MOEA would like to wish all OCC employees a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
On a personal note, Bill White has been using his volunteer talents throughout the year for different groups. For Special Olympics, he was the scorekeeper for volleyball and bowling events during the State's Winter Olympics, then in the spring, he assisted with the Oklahoma City regional field and track events with handing out the team awards and followed up with the State field and track games in Stillwater by serving on the awards committee with presentation of individual awards to the winning athletes. On most Saturday mornings, he works with the Infant Crisis Services by restocking their warehouse shelves. In October, he served as the start line co-chair for the OKC Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure.
In May, Ms. LeAnn Jenkins, Executive Director for the Federal Executive Board in Oklahoma, presented Bill White with a certificate of completion for Continuity of Operations Excellence Series - Level I Professional Continuity of Practitioner. At the time of the presentation, he was one of five Oklahomans completing the pro-gram. Two were federal employees and three were state employees.
Among his other duties, Bill serves as the agency's liaison to the Oklahoma De-partment of Emergency Management and is gearing up for future electric power, natural gas, and telecommunications outages that occur across the State of Okla-homa each year. IT HAPPENSIT HAPPENS
What’s New?
IT recently distributed the Microsoft Office 2007 suite. Hopefully everyone is adjusting well. Many more features are available in this version If you need additional information, we have links to the manual as well as online training. These links are on the Intranet home page (http://occintranet.com). Each division was provided with at least one printed manual. The manual is large, so additional copies will be charged to divisions.
As always, if you have a question or concern with the software upgrade, please call the OCC IT Helpdesk at 405-521-3636.
Good Deeds
The old saying, ―if it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all‖, seemed to be the only statement the Jones High School could make this last year.
First, a disastrous fire destroyed the main building and all equipment, including the computer lab on December 10th, 2007. To compound the problems of providing adequate resources for their students, Jones High School suffered two break-ins that resulted in the loss of their computers.
On a brighter note, the Little Axe Volunteer Fire Department raised enough money to build a new Fire Station and partially equip it with new accessories. However, they ran out of funds before they could purchase equipment for a planned computer center.
When the IT Department was notified of the request to help these 2 very deserving entities, we asked for approval from the Department of Central Services to provide the computer systems from our surplus/salvage program. We were able to provide 15 desktop computer systems to Jones High School and 10 desktop computer systems to The Little Axe Volunteer Fire Department.
This is just one way we can give back to our State.
Get to Know Us Better…
Michelle Smith is our IT Director and has worked with the Commission since August 2005. Previously she worked at OKDHS for 7 years as an Information Systems Manager. Her IT career began in private industry where she was a programmer and network administrator for nearly 10 years. Michelle has been married to her husband Marvin for 23 years and they have 4 kids and 2 dogs. Between piano, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, she doesn’t have much time for getting into trouble. IT HAPPENS (CONT.)
IT Adds Capability for Finance to Process EFT Debits
Several OCC divisions have requirements to send (and receive) check payments to individuals, companies and other state agencies. Not long ago the only method Finance had of receiving and disbursing funds was through paper checks. Outgoing checks were usually created on a typewriter. About four years the IT division developed the CheckWriting application that allowed Finance personnel to create and process checks electronically, with the actual paper checks being generated on a printer. Also at that time, the application allowed Finance to receive and process electronic check payments through the State Treasurer.
Not long after the application was created, Finance personnel identified the need to send and receive electronic funds transfers (EFTs) to handle electronic payments and collections for IFTA/IRP. This capability was added to the application, and the application was renamed CheckEFT. As with electronic checks, all EFTs pass through the State Treasurer. At that time there existed only a requirement to process EFT credits. Finance could deposit funds into an individual, company or other state agency bank account, but could not withdraw funds from the bank account.
During the development of the new IRP module, the Transportation Division identified a need for Finance to process EFT debits. EFT debits are set up in advance by agreements between Finance and individuals, companies or other state agencies. This agreement allows Finance to not only deposit funds into the bank accounts, but to withdraw funds as well. The IT Division coordinated with the State Treasurer and added the capability to process EFT debits to the CheckEFT application.
IT Tip
Keyboard shortcuts are available for copy, cut and paste! Hold down the Ctrl and C keys together to copy your selection. Ctrl and X together function as cut. Ctrl and V together will paste it behind your cursor location. We have a few Oil and Gas Specialists with some exciting news:
On September 3rd, 2010, Jason Pryor married his girlfriend Amy. Sarah Snowbarger is engaged to marry her boyfriend Ricky on April 16th, 2011. We are happy for them both!
We have had several births in 2010. Tamra Wilkerson, started off the year with a little boy, Wyatt Edward. Mid-year we heard of two new additions on the same day! Cheryl Fitzgerald welcomed into the world little Savannah Lynn and Ron Dunkin was proud to meet little Dunkin Lee, both grandchildren for them. Mr. Bob Griffith is expecting his first grandchild, a girl, sometime in March. He could not be more excited!
Bob McCoy is going to adopt another little girl. Her name is An Qiaoxia and they are going to call her Bailey Amber. She was found in Zhouhewan Village, Xisanhuan. She was born on July 29th of 2009. Congratulations Bob! Wayne Wright’s grandson is in the playoffs! He is a freshman in High School and is playing on the Velma-Alma Comets Varsity team for the state Championship! Go Comets!!!!
The Oil and Gas District IV office in Ada wanted to honor Pat Walters for the good job that she does. They had to think to themselves…‖What would go great with Pat? Fish. Fish would go great with Pat‖ and so the ―First Annual Pat Walters Fish Fry‖ was born. They all had a really good time (except maybe the fish).
OIL AND GAS NEWS
O&G Field Inspector Dennis Darragh’s son, Edwin Ortiz, was featured singing the Star Spangled Banner during a November 7th Dallas Cowboys-Green Bay Packers game. Edwin is a member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment currently deployed to various locations in southern Iraq. OIL AND GAS NEWS (Cont.)
And finally, Jim Rosado has something to say:
Why I Work at the OCC
I've been employed here at the OCC for only a very few years (less than five, in fact), but I enjoy working here just as much now as the day that I first walked through the door. In fact, I continue to like it here and more and more with each passing workday.
Having seen many different job locations around the world during my 20-year Air Force career, I can honestly say that I've experienced some of the best . . . and the worst . . . in terms of typical workplace settings. I know a "bad workplace environment" when I see one; please believe me when I say that the Oil and Gas Conservation of the OCC is not one of those. Conversely, it is the exact opposite!
From day one, I've noticed how the different sections within our division work together to keep the workflow moving. Each section does its part to help keep track of the papework that documents the history and production performance of thousands of Oklahoma gas and oil wells. It's amazing to me how effectively our division is able to come together to protect what is increasingly an invaluable resource for the state of Oklahoma.
We should all be very proud of the job that we continue to do within the Oil and Gas Conservation Division. I cannot really speak for other divisions within the OCC, since I've only seen what goes on within our own division. However, I would be quite hard-pressed to try and find a better workplace in state government. The "fun factor" here is definitely off the scale, and I continue to look forward to coming to work each and every day.
Kudos to a division that continues to provide instant customer service, endless client assistance and professional compliance monitoring each and every day. Our motto, "Excellence Is Our Standard", is displayed in everything that we do! I'm not just saying that as one of the members of this division; I'm saying it as one of the newest members of your team. Way to go! The PUD Post
Divison Highlights
OCTOBER
On October 28th most of the PUD Staff traveled to Frederick, Oklahoma for a tour of their cotton gin.
NOVEMBER
November 1-5, Joel Rodriguez, Kris Prouty, Glenda Buchanan, and Kiran Patel attended NARUC Utility Rate School in Clearwater, Florida. They learned the fundamentals of the utility rate setting process, including how to establish revenue requirements and the basic concepts of rate design.
On November 2, Chris Herbison attended a USAC training for applicants who participate in the Universal Service Fund's Schools and Libraries (E-rate) Program. The training was held in Grapevine, Texas.
SCC— State Charitable Campaign
This year our agency raised $17,350.00. PUD’s very own Susan Hendrick was named the ―2010 Outstanding Employee Campaign Coordinator‖ by the State Charitable Campaign for her dedicated hard work during the SCC Campaign. Way to go Susan!
Kyle Barkley & Lynne Jones volunteering at
the SCC kickoff at the capitol Sept. 22nd.
Joyce Conner won the basket for the SCC pledge card drawing. Anyone who filled out a pledge for at least $2.00 a month was eligible.
Kiran Patel & Dianne McGarry
Cotton Gin Pressing Machines September:
-4th Susan Hendrick
-20th Tonya Hinex-Ford
-22nd Kiran Patel
November:
-8th Javad Seyedoff
-12th Debbie Parter
Brandy & Marie Wreath hosted an OU/TX party at their home. There was food, fishing, bike riding, animal petting, and oh yeah, some football watching as well.
Employee Birthdays
Brandy Wreath & Glenda Buchanan
Fisherman Trent
Brandy Wreath, Tate Campbell, Evan Lowe, & Truitt Campbell
Chunk-he the Buffalo & Tate
Bob Thompson & wife Tina
The PUD Post (Cont.) Employee AwardsEmployee of the Month Awards
20102010
January 2010 — Jason Pryor
February 2010 — Michael Embrey
March 2010 — Cojuan Crear Employee AwardsEmployee of the Month Awards
2010 (Cont)(Cont)
May 2010 —Terri Baker
June 2010 — Jeff Brown
April 2010 —Susan Conrad Employee AwardsEmployee of the Month Awards
2010 (Cont)(Cont)
October 2010— Jim Rosado
August 2010— Lesia Pollard
July 2010— Deborah Moye December 2010— Kathy Tucker
November 2010 — Joey Parson
Employee AwardsEmployee of the Month Awards
2010 (Cont)(Cont) Service Awards -- 20102010
5 years
James Hoy, Jr.
Jill Ortega
Carmon Sherwan
Deborah Ross
Laurence Snyder
Finny Joseph Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
5 years
Virginia Hullinger
Linda Chadwell
James Myles
Lloyd Faver
Roger Pearman
Javad Seyedoff Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
5 years
Terri Baker
Francie Ludwick
Connie Pan
Christine Brewer
Sunni Stephenson
Myra Fleming Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
Service Awards — 5 years
William Pogue
Service Awards — 10 years
Seri Graham
Becky Ladd
Bonnie Ledford
Comm. Jeff Cloud Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
10 years
Angela Dew
Barbara Colbert
Russie Garrett
Susan Adlamini
Cojuan Crear
Annetta Monden Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
10 years
Patricia Billingsley
Mary Sutherland
Joey Parson
Darla Wollitz
Sandra McNeal
Tim Davis
15 years Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
Joyce Conner
Andy Walker
Jackie Hollinhead
15 years
20 years
Susan Conrad
Nancy Williams Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
Connie Moore
20 years
Billy Shuffeldt
Nick Hensler
Gene Gilstrap
Salim Douglah
Richard Massey Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
25 years
30 years
Maribeth Snapp
Bob McCoy
Rita Hejny
Betty Koehn
Mike Henley Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
Deborah Moye
Peggy Mitchell
Barbara Joslen
30 years
35 years Service Awards -- 2010 (cont.)(cont.)
Not pictured:
5 Years Service: Pam Eisenhour; Jack Bradshaw; Michael Norris; Gary Matli;
Darrel Wilkes; William Cox; Danny Cluck; Steven Baze; Keith Tho-mas; Steven Turner; Darrell Martin; Douglas Vincent; Earl Hendricks; Fairo Mitchell; Linda Gore; Randall Whelan; Mary Her-nandez
10 Years Service: Gayland Darity; David Howard; Johnny Harper; Danielle Maxey; Matthew Skinner; Christopher Winton; Allen Clark; Tina Barberousse
15 Years Service: Stephen Warren; Gary Wood; Karen Forbes; Helen Wehrenberg; John Hurd; Garey Wortham; Patricia Harris; Ivone Peck; Terry White;
Michael Staples
20 Years Service: Ralph Bauer; Billy Ragsdale; Ronald Smith; Tommy Murray; Michele O’Craig; Benjamin Novosad; Marchi McCartney
25 Years Service: Roger Conaghan; Glenlynn Mooney; Randy Schmitz; Kelly Phelps; Judy Lansford; Jimmy Don Garrett; Kenneth